CHICAGO February 1, 2018 – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K announced today that executive race director Carey Pinkowski will be taking to the streets of Chicago on Sunday, March 25 to raise funds for charity. Pinkowski’s participation shines a light on the event’s new Charity Matching Campaign, which enables runners to make their race more meaningful.

From Monday, January 29 through Friday, February 9, Bank of America will match donations that are made at the point of registration (“8K Charity” option) when participants opt to run with one of the 34 charity teams affiliated with the Shamrock Shuffle 8K (e.g., Girls on the Run, Team PAWS, American Cancer Society, Chicago Parks Foundation).

Pinkowski will be running on behalf of the American Cancer Society. “I have seen so many people in my life — my father, my dear friends and other individuals — battle cancer and this cause has always been important to me,” he said. “It is humbling to participate among a group of runners who make their running more impactful by raising funds for a charitable cause. Over the past 16 years, I have watched more than 100,000 charity runners cross our finish line. It really highlights the beauty of our collective spirit in the sport.”

Pinkowski toed the line at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K for the last time in 1988, finishing third in a swift time of 24:07. Three decades later, he is looking forward to participating with thousands of individuals eager to celebrate the opening of the Chicago outdoor running season.

To help kick-start Pinkowski’s fundraising campaign, Bank of America is making a one-time donation of $8,000. “We’re honored to make this donation in recognition of Carey’s dedication and passion to the Chicago running community,” said Paul Lambert, Chicago market president, Bank of America. “Carey’s demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm have shaped both the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon into the world-class events that they are today.”

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K welcomes the involvement of charities in a variety of capacities. To promote the significance of the event’s charity program, Bank of America and race organizers unveiled a two-week charity matching campaign. Runners who sign up during this two-week window can select the $55 “8K Charity” option at the point of registration to make a $5 donation to the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Bank of America will provide a 1:1 match (dollar for dollar) for contributions up to a maximum of $20,000. For a full list of charity teams, visit shamrockshuffle.com/charity-volunteers.

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K returns for the 39th year on Sunday, March 25 in Chicago’s “front yard,” Grant Park. More than 20,000 runners turned downtown Chicago into a sea of green in 2017 to celebrate Chicago’s running community and the advent of another racing season. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K features both the Deloitte Open Team Competition and the Deloitte Elite Club Competition. Last year’s race included a three-peat on the men’s side as Kenya’s Stephen Sambu raced to his third crown. Two-time Olympian Kim Conley outran the women’s field by 59 seconds to win her first Shamrock Shuffle 8K. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K enjoys a rich history of welcoming everyone from the first-time runner to the seasoned veteran to race on the streets of downtown Chicago.

About the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring, a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 39th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes runners on a scenic tour of downtown Chicago, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 25, and will conclude with live music at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of the event, the two-day packet pickup will take place at McCormick Place on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com.